"The Lives of Ordinary Americans", Paul Krugman, 2/3/12

(Regarding Mitt Romney)

"But the dishonesty of his initial claim aside, how could a candidate declare that safety-net programs do no good and declare only 10 days later that those programs take such good care of the poor that he feels no concern for their welfare?"

The Lives of Ordinary Americans...

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"Wine Me Up", Faron Young

To my mind, a great country song. I believe Mr. Young has a fine voice, but I will admit that, in the case of this 2:19 video clip, it's better to listen to him - I'm pretty sure that shirt and tie don't match; I'm pretty sure his hair is plastic; I'm pretty sure I don't need to see him wink at the camera again or make any of those arm motions...

Wine Me Up...

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Fictional Lesbian Pairings (V)

There's a royal wedding in the works and the tabloids are all abuzz - Mary Queen of Arkansas + Mary Queen of Scots. (Jars of corn liquor and bottles of Talisker complimentary to all invited guests.)

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"The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret"...

... is the name of a television show on, I believe, IFC (though made in conjunction with BBC Television). I hadn't heard of it at all until last week. The first six episode season is available, streaming, on Netflix; the second and final six episode season is, I believe, airing now on IFC. The show stars David Cross who, among other things, was a regular on the Mr. Show and also portrayed Tobias Funke on Arrested Development. It is, technically, a comedy.

After watching the first episode of this show (the episodes run 20 minutes), I realized that I, personally, could not watch MORE than one episode during any one sitting. After watching the second episode, I wanted to re-name the show The Book of Job, but quickly realized that wasn't quite right; more like The Book of Job if God Was Not the Instigator of All the Job-Related Calamities But, Instead, Job Was Himself to Blame. To say this show is a demonstration of one man as a Human Train Wreck is likely an understatement. He says the wrong thing EVERY time; he lies; he fancies himself as smart but is, in essence, a rube; he's arrogant and crude; there is a running gag where he continually shits himself. And, yet, there is also something completely and utterly sad about Todd Margaret that Mr. Cross manages to convey. (Also, fine work from the supporting players including Will Arnett, Sharon Horgan and ESPECIALLY Blake Harrison as Dave, Todd's assistant, who never misses an opportunity to torture his boss.)

So, have I sold this hard enough, I wonder? It is NOT for everyone, that is clear, but I'm going to recommend you at least look at one episode and let me know what you think. I'd love to discuss it. (Oh, and if it matters? Danielle is watching, too, though it might be a little out of her wheelhouse...)

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Donald Hall on Becoming Old, New Yorker Issue 1/23/2012

There is a short and beautiful piece on aging written by the fine poet Donald Hall in the January 23, 2012 New Yorker. I would link you up to it electronically, but one has to register oneself at www.newyorker.com to access the website. So, if that doesn't interest you, maybe this issue is laying around somewhere - your hair salon, perhaps? It's only four pages and well worth your time.

(Also, Donald Hall was married to the equally fine poet Jane Kenyon who died way too young in 1995 (age 47) of leukemia. Coincidentally, two of Miss Kenyon's poems were featured here at IBL just last week in a post dated 1/28/2012.)

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I would just like to say that no matter how traumatic the 70s were, they did have Soul Train. I always thought that if the benign, paternal, all loving God existed, his voice must sound just like Don Cornelius. I was quite sad in a kind of from afar way, when I heard he had committed suicide. Soul Train was revelatory, from the bubble lettering , to the pink blue and silver afro sheen commercials, to that universe of amazing music. Don is riding on the big Soul Train now.

First February in Seattle PLUS February Poem

So Danielle and I are finally in our new, permanent home in Seattle's Green Lake neighborhood. It's a one bedroom apartment and we are probably paying too much for it, and it is probably going to be a tight fit for all our stuff, but we looked out the window directly onto Green Lake and the park surrounding it (snow-covered mountains in the distance) and decided we'd give it a go for a year. So far I would have to say we are pretty fucking happy with our choice...

Also, in IBL's February poem, which you'll find off to the right on this page, Jesus and my father exchange a few pleasantries on a streetcar in Los Angeles in the 1930s. I hope you enjoy it...

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